Pea-harvester.



E. O. HUTSELL.

PEA HARVESTER.

APPLICATION FILED EEB. 20, 1911.

Patented May 28, 1912.

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@Ewell 7 IN ENTOR ATTORNEY CoLuMLu/g vLANoGRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

E. o. HUTSBLL. PEA HARVESTER. APPLICATION FILED PEB. 20, 1911.

l Patented May 28, 1912.

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Patented May 28, 1912.

E. 0. HUTSELL.

PBA HARVESTER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. zo, 1911.

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E. 0. HUTSELL.

PEA HARVESTER.,

APPLIOATION FILED 313.20, 1911.

Patented May 28 5 SHEETS-SEBET 4.

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E. 0. HUTSELL.

` PEA HARVESTER. l APLIUATI'ON FILED H1120', 1911. 1,028,072. PatentedMay 28, 1912.

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ERNEST 0. HUTSELL, GF ATHENS, TENNESSEE.`

PEA-HARVESTER.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ERNEST O. HUTSELL, acitizen of the United States, residing at Athens, in the county ofMcMinn and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and usefulPea-Harvester, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in pea harvesters.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction ofpea harvesters, and to provide a simplerand comparatively inexpensivepea harvesting machine, adapted to gather peas from a plurality of rowsof vines and deliver the harvested peas to a hulling machine, or otherreceptacle, and equipped with mechanism, capable of cutting the vinesinto short lengths to prevent long vines from being drawn into themachine and clogging the same.

A further object of the invention is to enable the harvesting mechanismto be adjusted vertically to arrange the same at Athe proper elevationto suit the height of the peas or other vines, and also to enable suchmechanism to clear obstructions and to be elevated out of the way whenit is desired to transfer the machine from one field or place toanother.

With these and other'objects in view, .the invention consists in theconstruction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claimshereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form,proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope ofthe claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings z-Figure 1 isl a longitudinal sectionalview of a peaharvesting machine, constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig.2 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2--2of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 ofFig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional View on the line 4.--4 ofFig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view, illustrating themanner of mounting the oscillatory casing and the means for guiding andactuating the same.

. Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view, part-lyl in section, of one of theharvesting mecha* nisms. Fig. 7 is a reverse plan view of theSp'ecication of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 20, 1911.

Patented May 28,1912. seria No. 609,682.

same, partly in section. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on theline 8-8 of Fig. 6, the hinged blades being closed. F ig. 9 is a similarView, the hinged blades being open. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectionalview of the oscillatory device for actuating the cutter or sickle bar ofthe harvesting mechanism. Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view of thesame on the line 11-11 of Fig. l0. Fig. 12 is an enlarged detailperspective view of the actuating guide for operating the hinged blades.Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the endless carrieron which the harvesting mechanism is mounted. Fig. 14 is a detail viewof a portion of the rock shaft, which is connected with the pivotallymounted vertically adjustable frame. Fig. 15 is a detail perspectiveview of one of the yieldable supporting devices. Fig. 16 is a detailsectional view on the line 16-16 of Fig. 3.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

In the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated the preferredembodiment of the invention, 1 designates a wheeled main frame, providedwith a suitable casing 2 and having front and rear platforms 3 and 4.The main frame is supported at its rear portion by traction wheels 5,located between the sides of the casing and mounted on a rotary rearaxle 6. The rear axle is journaled in suit-able bearings of the mainframe, and the traction wheels 5 are provided at the inner ends of theirhubs with clutch faces 7, cooperating with similar clutch faces ofslidable clutch sections 8, mounted on the rear axle and slidablyinterlocked with the same by a key and yieldably maintained inengagement with the clutch faces of the traction wheels by coiledsprings 9.

The coiled springs 9, which are disposed on the rear axle, areinterposed between the sliding clutch sections and set collars l0,adjustably fixed to the rear axle by clamping screws l1. When themachine moves forwardly, the traction wheels actuate the rear axle andmotion is communicated to the mechanism hereinafter described, but whenthe machine is moved rearwardly or is backed in turning, the coiledsprings 9 will permit the clutch faces of the traction wheels to slideover the clutch faces of the sections 8 without rotating the rear axle.

The tongue 12 is connected with the hounds 13 of a front truck, whichsupports the front of the main frame. rl`he front truck is equipped withan axle 14, pivoted by a king bolt 15 and having suitable wheels 16mounted on its spindles. The hounds are connected at their rear ends bya cross bar 17, beneath which passes a reach bar 18, extending from thefront of the casing to the center of the front truck. The front platformis equipped with a seat 19 for the accommodation of the driver oroperator.

The rear axle is connected with a lower transverse drive shaft 20 byspur gears 21 and 22. The gear wheel 21, which is loose on the rearaxle, is provided at one end of its hub with a clutch face 23, and theother end of its hub has an annular groove 24,

forming a terminal flange or head 25, which is arranged in a sectionalbearing 26, suitably clamped to the rear axle. The clutch face 23 of thegear wheel 21 is engaged by a movable clutch section 27, slidablyinterlocked with the rear axle by a key or spline 28 and having anannular groove 29 to receive the forked end 30 of a horizontal link 31of the shifting mechanism for moving the slidable clutch section 27 intoand out of engagement with the clutch face of the gear wheel to throwthe mechanism of the harvesting machine into and out of operation. Thelink 31, which extends longitudinally of the rear axle, is located abovethe same and its inner end 30 is bent downwardly to extend it into thegroove of the slidable clutch section. The outer end of the link 31 isconnected to the lower end of a short upright lever 32, fulcrumed at anintermediate point on a bracket 33 and connected at its upper end by alink 34 with a shifting lever 35. The supporting bracket 33 consists ofan arm, extending inwardly from one side of the frame of the machine andprovided at its outer end with an attaching plate or portion. The link34 extends through the side of the casing, and the operating or shiftinglever 35 is located exteriorly of t-he casing and is equipped with a dogor detent 36, controlled by a latch lever 37 and arranged to engageinner and outer notches 38 of a plate 39, whereby the slidable clutchsection is locked in and out of engagement with the clutch face of thegear wheel 21.

The gear wheel 22 is suitably lixed to the drive shaft, which is rotatedin the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The drive shaft2O is connected with an upper transverse shaft 39 by sprocket gearingcomprising a lower sprocket pinion 40, an upper sprocket wheel 41 and asprocket chain 42. rIhe upper transverse shaft 39 is j ournaled insuitable bearings of the main frame of the machine, and it forms a pivotfor a vertically adjustable frame 43 upon which the harvesting mechanismis mounted.

The pivoted vertically adjust-able frame, which is open at the sides, asclearly shown in Fig. 1, is oppositely tapered in side elevation, and itis provided with spaced front and rear lower bearings 44 and 45 andspaced upper front and rear bearings 46 and 47. The upper front bearingsare located above and slightly in rear of the lower front bearings, andthe upper rear bearings are located above and considerably in rear ofthe lower rear bearings. These bearings receive transverse shafts 48,49, 50 and 51, upon which are mounted sprocket wheels 52 for a pluralityof spaced longitudinal endless sprocket chains 53, extending around andcarried by the pivoted vertically adjustable frame, and carrying anapron 54 to form an endless carrier for conveying the harvested materialrearwardly from the front of the machine to the back thereof.

The endless carrier, which travels in the direction of the arrow in Fig.1 of the drawings, consists of av rear downwardly and forwardly movingflight, a relatively short bottom forwardly moving flight, an upwardlymoving inclined front flight, and a rearwardly moving top flight,arranged at a slight inclination and extending downwardly and rearwardlyfrom t-he top of the front flight. Motion is communicated to the endlesscarrier from the transverse pivot shaft of the adjustable frame bysprocket gearing consisting of a sprocket chain 39"L and sprocket wheels391, 39C, 39d and 39E, mounted, respectively, on the pivot shaft and onthe front upper shaft 50 and the lower front and rear shafts 48 and 49.

uThe endless carrier is equipped at regular intervals with stripping andcutting mechanisms, extending transversely of the machine and being of alength preferably to operate on a plurality of rows of vines, and eachcomprising spaced guards or fingers 55, a reciprocatory cutter or sicklebar 56, and hinged blades 57, arranged to close over the spaces betweenthe fingers or guards.

In practice peas are usually planted in rows two and a half feet apart,and it will be advantageous to employ cutting and stripping devicesabout seven feet, which will be of a length sufficient to operate onthree rows of vines. Any other desired length of cutting and strippingmechanisms may of course be employed. rlhe inner ends of the lingers orguards are secured to a transverse bar 58, which is suitably fastened tolinks of the endless carrier chains, and the said guards or fingersproject outwardly at right angles to the plane of the links to which thetransverse bar 58 is secured. The cutter or sickle bar is equipped withknives 59, suitably secured to the cutter or sickle bar and operating inslots 60 of the guards or lingers. The knives 59 of the cutter or sicklebar are centered or maintained beneath the ngers or guards by a pair ofcoiled springs 61, mounted on a rod or stem 62, supported in a bracket63 and extending through and forming a guide for a pin 64 of the sickleor cutter bar.

The sickle or cutter bar is provided at one end with a head 65, and thepin 64, which projects from the head, is provided with a transverseperforation 66 through which the rod or stem 62 passes. The springs 6lengage the opposite sides of the pin and center the latter with respectto the bracket after each operation of the cutter or sickle bar by themechanism hereinafter described. The knives of the cutter or sickle barare centered or arranged beneath the fingers or guards in order tomaintain the spaces between the same clear for the passage of the vines.

The guards or fingers are carried forward in an inverted position by therear and bottom fiights of the endless carrier, and while passingbeneath the bottom of the pivoted frame, they are engaged with the vinesand as they are carried upwardly and rearwardly by the front inclinedflight of the endless carrier, they operate to strip the pods from thevines. The blades 57 are provided at one side with a beveled cuttingedge G7, and they are equipped at the opposite edge with eyes 68 for thereception of .pintles 69, and they are adjustably connected by leaves orhinge elements 70 with the guards or fingers. The hinge elements orleaves 70 are provided with slots 71 and are secured by set screws 72 toflat upper faces 7 3 of the guards or lingers 55. By adjusting the hingeelements of the blades 57, the latter may be caused to close over thespaces between the guards or iingers to a greater or less extent, andthe adjustment is adapted to take up the wear and enable the cuttingedges of the blades to coperate properly with the cutting edges ofapproximately triangular ribs 7 t, extending longitudinally of the upperfaces of the guards or lingers at one side thereof, the Hat faces 73being located at the opposite side thereof, as clearly illustrated inFigs. 8 and 9 of the drawings. The hinged blades close after the vinesenter the spaces between the guards or fingers, and when they close onthe vines, they coperate with the tapered or triangular ribs of theguards or fingers to strip the pods from the vines, and the harvestedmaterial is carried upward by thestripping and the cutting mechanism,the blades closing the spaces between the guards or fingers sufficientto prevent the pods from passing through the same.

The inner ends of the hinged blades are equipped with inwardly orrearwardly projecting pivots 775, connected by links 76 with atransverse reciprocatable bar 77 and formed integral with attachingplates 78, provided with slots 79 and adjustably secured to the upper orouter faces of the hinged blades by set screws 80. The attaching plates78 are adjustable transversely of the hinged blades to position thepivots properly with relation to the links, and the latter are providedwith perforations to receive the pivots 75, which are threaded at theirrear terminals for the reception of nuts 81, but any other suitablefastening means may be employed for this purpose. rlhe links 76 arebifurcated to st-raddle ears 82 of the reciprocatory bar 77, and theyare pivoted to the ears by bolts 88 or other suitable fastening means.rIhe transverse reciprocatable bar 77 is mounted in upper alinedrecesses 84 of the guards or fingers, and itis provided at one end witha reduced portion or stem 85, extending through a guide opening 86 of abracket 87 and supporting a coiled spring 88, interposed between thebracket 87 and a shoulder 89, formed by the reduction of the bar 77 toprovide the stem. The bracket 87 is secured to the transverse bar 58,and the spring operates to open the hinged blades 57 automatically whenthe reciprocatable bar 77 is free to move.

The reciprocatable bar 77 is equipped at its other end with ananti-friction device, preferably consisting of a roller 90, mounted in abifurcated head 91 and arranged to engage an actuating guide 92. Theguide 92, which consists of a track or bar, is approximately L-shapedand is mounted at the lower front portion of the adjustable frame at oneside thereof in spaced relation with the same, and it is composed of a.lower approximately horizontal arm or portion 93, and an upwardlyextending inclined arm or portion 94. The terminal 95 of the bottomportion 93 of the guide 92 is curved outwardly to enable the roller 90to readily engage the same, and the bottom arm or portion of the guideextends forwardly and inwardly from the outwardly curved terminal 95, inorder to gradually move the reciprocatable bar 77 inward as itapproaches the front of the pivoted frame. The hinged blades are closedon the vines by the guide as the guards or fingers are carried upward bythe front stretch of the endless carrier, and they are maintained insuch closed position by the upper inclined arm or portion Qflof theguide. This produces a stripping act-ion of the mechanism, and the podsare stripped off the vines and fall upon the guards or fingers and arecarried upward by the same, the spaces between the guards or fingersbeing closed to the passage of the pods, as before explained. As theguards or fingers are arranged in an inclined position while they arebeing carried upward by the said front flight, the harvested materialfalls back upon the apron of the carrier, so that it is not necessary toextend the inclined portion 94 of the guide to the top of the frame, butit may be so extended to prevent the opening of the hinged blades untilthey reach the top rearwardly moving 'Hight of the endless carrier. Assoon as the roller 90 leaves the guide, the spring 88 actuates thetransverse bar 77 and opens the hinged blades automatically. The guideis supported by suitable brackets 96 consisting of stems provided at oneend with attaching plates or portions, which are secured to the outerside face of the guide. The other end 97 of the stems is reduced to passthrough `slots 98 of the supporting bars 99, and are threaded for thereception of nuts 100. The supporting bars project laterally from thepivoted frame, and the brackets are adjustably clamped to the said bars99 by the nuts 100, the slots permitting an inward and outwardadjustment of the guide to arrange it in position for properly actuatingthe reciprocatory bar 77 in the closing movement of the hinged blades.

The stripping and cutting devices, which may be arranged at any suitableintervals, are preferably placed about ten inches apartand in order toprevent long vines from being drawn into the machine and clogging thesame, the cutter or sickle bar is reciprocated by a continuouslyoperating oscilla tory device, consisting of an inclined casing 101,arranged in the path of the pin 64 and provided with a longitudinal slotor way 102, through which the pin 64 passes, whereby the sickle orcutter bar is actuated during the passage of the pin through the casing.The casing, which is approximately oblong, is pivoted at its lower endto a suitable bracket 103 by a bolt 104, and the mouth or entrance 105of the slot or way 102 is flared, and as the pin 64e enters the slot orway at the pivoted end of the casing, the movement of the sickle orcutter bar is gradual, the stroke lengthening as the pin moves upwardlyin the casing. The reciprocation of cutter or sickle bar severs thevines, which are acted on by the succeeding stripping and cuttingdevices. The bolt 101 passes through a perforation 106 in the lower endof the casing, and the bracket 103, which is approximately L-shaped, issecured to the supporting frame and extends laterally from the sidethereof opposite that at which the guide 92 is located.

In order to prevent the pin (34 from being struck by the oscillatingdevice as it leaves the upper end of the casing, the latter is equippedwith a longitudinally movable slide 107, suitably guided by the walls ofthe casing and located beneath the slot or guide 102 and carrying amutilated pinion 108, mounted on a suitable pivot 109 and having aplurality of teeth, which mesh with a rack 110. The casing 101 isprovided with a guiding lug 1011, which overhangs the slide 107. Therack 110 extends longitudinally of the casing, and the teeth arepreferably formed integral with one of theV side walls thereof. Thepinion is provided with a recess 111, forming a shoulder 112,.which isengaged by the pin 641. The pinion is rotated by the pin during themovement of the same through the casing until the shoulder 112 isbrought into alinement with the slot or groove 102. This movement alsoextends the slide 107 beyond the upper end of the casing, and as soon asthe pin is released by the pinion, the slide is quickly returned to itsinitial position within the casing by a coiled spring 113. The spring113 is mounted on a rod 114, extending through a relatively fixed lug115 of the casing and through a lug or flange 116 of the slide. The lug115 1s preferably formed integral with the bottom and side walls of thecasing, and is located at a point intermediate of the ends thereof, andthe lug 116 is arranged at t-he inner or lower end of the slide. The rodis provided at its upper end with a head 117 to fit against the lug 116,and its lower end is provided with a suitable stop 118, preferablyconsisting of a disk and forming a bearing for the lower end of thecoiled spring, which is compressed when the slide is moved upwardly oroutwardly. The spring 113 and the means for mount-ing the same arelocated at one side of the slot or wa of the oscillatory casing andbeyond the path of the pin 64 of the cutter or sickle bar.

The oscillatory casing is guided in its pivotal movement by a curvedguide bar 119, extending laterally from the adjacent side of t-headjustable frame and having an inner attaching portion 120, which issecured to the same. The oscillatory casing is provided at its upperportion with an arcuate opening 121 of the same curvature as the guide,and snugly fitting the same, whereby the pivoted casing is slidablyconnected with the guide 119, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 of thedrawings. This insures a steady positive reciprocation of the cutter orsickle bar.

The oscillatory casing is provided at its inner side with a laterallyextending ear 122, formed by an extension of a bar or piece, which issecuredto the lower face of the oscillatory casing. The ear 122 ispivoted in a bifurcation 123 of a pitman 124: by a pin 125. Thebifurcation 123 is located at the outer end of the pitman, which extendsinwardly from the oscillatory casing to a crank element 126, preferablyconsisting of a crank disk or wheel having a wrist pin 127 to which theinner end of the pitman 124 is connected. The crank disk is fixed to theupper end of a short inclined shaft ioo iso

128, mounted 1n spaced bearings 129 of a bracket 130, which is providedat the upper portion with an attaching arm 131, secured to the frontportion of the adjustable frame. The lower end of the short inclinedshaft 128 carries a bevel pinion 132, meshing with a similar bevelpinion 133 of an inclined longitudinal shaft 134, mounted in suitablebearings upon the bottom rear portion of the adjustable frame andextending from the short front inclined shaft 128 to the uppertransverse pivot shaft 39 and connected with the same by bevel gears 135and 136, mounted, respectively, on the shafts 134 and 39. The vibratorycasing is continuously operated during the operation of the endlesscarrier upon which the stripping and cutting devices are mounted.

The bottom portion of the pivoted frame of the endless carrier isconnected by links 137 with a plurality of forwardly extending arms 138of a transverse rock shaft 139. The rock shaft, which extends across themain frame and through the pivoted frame, is journaled in suitablebearings of the sides of the main frame, and the links 137, which extendupwardly from the bottom portion of the pivoted frame, are pivoted attheir lower ends to ears 140, having attaching plates suitably securedto the pivoted frame of the endless carrier. The forwardly extendingarms are located within the casing of the main frame and the transverserock shaft 139 extends through one side o-f the said casing and isprovided with an upwardly extending arm 141, which is connected by a rod142 with an operating lever 143. The operating lever, which is arrangedin an upright position at one side of the frame of the machine, ispivoted at its lower end 144, and it is equipped with a dog or detent145, arranged to engage a toothed segment 146 and controlled by a latchlever 147, mounted on the adjusting lever at the upper handle portionthereof.-

n order to enable the pivoted frame and the mechanism carried by thesame to be easily adjusted, the harvesting machine is equipped atopposite sides with yieldable supporting devices, which are connectedwith the ends of a transverse bar 148. Each of the yieldable supportingdevices co-mprises a bell crank lever 149, fulcrumed at its angle in abracket 150, and having one arm extended forwardly and connected to thebar 148, and the other arm of the bell crank lever extends upwardly andis connected with a rod 151 upon which a coiled spring 152 is mounted.The transverse bar 148 is provided at each end with a pivot 153, whichis arranged in the opening of the forwardly extending arm of the bellcrank lever, land the rod 151 is bifurcated at its front end to receivethe upwardly extending arm of the bell crank lever, and iS pivoted tothe same by a pin 154. The rod 151 extends through a slot 155 of themain frame, and the spring 152, which is disposed on the rod, bearsagainst an adjust able washer or plate 156 of the rod, and a washer or plate 157 is fitted against the frame and through which the rod 151passes. The rear end of the rod 151 is threaded for the reception of anut 158, which adjusts the washer 156 to control the tension of thespring 152. The coiled spring 152 at oppo site sides of the harvestingmachine takes care of a portion of the weight of the piv eted frame, andit renders the adjustment thereof easier No claim is made in the presentapplication to the device for partially counter-balancing the weight ofthe pivoted frame.

The material drops from the endless carrier onto an inclined endlessconveyer 159, which carries the cut vines and peas through an opening160 in the rear wall of the casing of the main frame and delivers themto a chute 161, located above a pea huller 162, which is mounted on therear platform 4. The inclined endless conveyer consists of an apron,provided at intervals with slats 163 and mounted on front and reartransverse shafts 164 and 165. The front shaft 164 carries a sprocketwheel 166, which is connected by a sprocket chain 167 with a sprocketwheel 168 of the drive shaft, whereby mot-ion is communicated therefromto the inclined conveyer. The pea .huller 162 is driven by a belt 169,extending from a pulley 170 of the drive shaft to a pulley 171 of thepea huller.

Instead of delivering the peas to the pea huller, a suitable receptaclemay be arranged on the rear platform, or a wagon may be driven near thechute for such purpose.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A. harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, and stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprising aseries of spaced 1ingers projecting from the carrier and arranged toreceive the vines between them, blades movably mounted on the lingersand extending longitudinally of and arranged to close over the spacesbetween the same for gripping the vines between them and the saidfingers, and means for operating the blades to open and close the same.

2. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier and stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprising aseries of spaced iingers projecting from the carrier and arranged toreceive the vines between them, blades hingedto the fingers andextending longitudinally thereof and arranged to close over the spacesbetween the fingers for gripping the vines between them and the saidfingers, and means for opening and closing the blades.

3. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, and stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprisingspaced fingers provided with cutting edges, blades hinged to the ngersand extending longitudinally thereof and arranged to close over thespaces between the fingers to cooperate with the cutting edges thereoffor gripping the vines, and means for opening and closing the blades.

4. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, and j stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprisingspaced fingers provided with fiat upper faces and having taperedlongitudinal ribs at one side of the same to form cutting edges, bladesextending longitudinally of the fingers and hinged to the flat facesthereof and arranged to close over the spaces between the fingers andcooperating with the ribs to grip the vines, and means for operating thefingers.

5. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, and stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprisingspaced fingers, hinged blades extending longitudinally of the iingersand arranged to close over the spaces between the same, a reciprocatorybar connected with the blades, and means for actuating the bar foropening and closing the blades.

6. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, and stripping mechanism mounted on t-he carrier and comprisingspaced fingers, hinged blades extending longitudinally of the fingersand arranged to close over the spaces between the same, a reciprocatorybar connected with the blades, a spring for moving the bar in onedirect-ion, and relatively fixed means arranged in the path of the barfor moving the same in the opposite direction.

7. A harvesting machine of the class de scribed including an endlesscarrier, and stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprisingspaced fingers, hinged blades extending longitudinally of the fingersand arranged to close over the spaces between the same, a reciprocatorybar connected with the blades, a spring connected with the bar andarranged to move the same to open the blades, and a relatively fixedguide arranged in the path of the bar for actuating the same to closethe blades.

8. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, and stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprisingspaced fingers, hinged blades extending longitudinally of the fingersand arranged to close over the spaces between the same, a reciprocatorybar connected with the blades, a spring connected with the bar andarranged to move the same to open the blades, and a relatively fixedguide located in the path o-f the reciprocatory bar and having a portionarranged to close the blades and another portion arranged to maintainthe blades in a closed position during a portion of the travel of thestripping mechanism.

9. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier having a forwardly moving flight and an upwardly moving frontflight, stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprising spacedfingers, hinged blades mounted on the fingers and arranged to close overthe spaces between the same, a reciprocatory bar connected with theblades, and a guide arranged in the path of the reciprocatory bar andconsisting of a bottom portion spaced from the bottom flight of thecarrier and ar ranged to close the blades, and an upright portionextending from the front of the bottom portion and arranged to maintainthe blades in a closed position.

10. A harvesting machine of the class dei scribed including an endlesscarrier having a forwardly moving iiight and an upwardly moving frontflight, stripping mechanism mounted on the carrier and comprising spacedfingers, hinged blades mounted on `the fingers and arranged to closeover the spaces between the same, a reciprocatory bar connected with theblades, and an approximately L-shaped guide consisting of a bottomportion having a curved terminal and arranged at an angle to the bottomflight of the conveyer for gradually moving the re ciprocatory bar toclose the blades, and an upwardly extending portion arranged to maintainthe blades in their closed position.

11. A harvesting machine of the class described including an adjustableframe, an endless carrier supported by the frame, and strippingmechanism including spaced fingers mounted on the endless carrier,hinged blades extending longitudinally of the fin gers, a reciprocatorybar arranged transversely of the fingers, a guide arranged in the pathof the bar for actuating the same, brackets secured to the guide,supporting bars mounted on the adjustable frame and having slotsreceiving the brackets, and means for adjusting the brackets in theslots of the supporting bar.

12. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced fingers mounted on the carrier, hinged blades extendinglongitudinally of the fingers and arranged to close over the spacesbetween the same, a transversely disposed reciprocatory bar, pivotsprojecting from the inner ends of the blades, links connecting thepivots with the said bar, and means for automatically actuating thereciprocatory bar.

13. A harvesting machine oll the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced fingers mounted on the carrier, a reciprocatory sicklebar cooperating With the lingers, and means located in the path of thesickle bar for actuating the same during a portion of the travel of thesaid sickle bar.

14. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced lingers mounted on the carrier and provided with slots,a sickle bar having knives operating in the slots of the fingers, acontinuously operated vibrating device arranged in the path of thesickle bar, and means carried by the sickle bar for engaging with thesaid device, whereby the sickle bar is reciprocated during a portion ofits travel.

15. A harvest-ing machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced fingers mounted on the carrier and provided with slots,a sickle bar having knives operating in the slots of the fingers, acontinuously operated vibrating device arranged in the path ofthe sicklebar, and means connected With the sickle bar for automatically centeringthe knives thereof With respect to the ngers when the sickle bardisengages the said device.

16. A harvest-ing machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced .fingers mounted on the carrier, a reciprocatory sicklebar having knives to cooperate with the lingers and provided Withprojecting pins, springs located at opposite sides of the pins forcentering the knives With respect to the fingers, and means located inthe path of the pins for reciprocating t-he sickle bar during a portionol' the travel of the same.

17. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced fingers mounted on the carrier, a reciprocatory sicklebar having knives to cooperate with the fingers and provided withprojecting pins, a bracket, a guide rod mounted in the bracket andsupporting the pins, springs mounted on the guide rod and located atopposite sides of the pins and arranged to actuate the same to centerthe knives with respect to the lingers, and means engageable with thepins for reciprocating the sickle bar during a portion oli' the travelthereof.

18. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced fingers mounted on the carrier, a reciprocatory sicklebar having knives to coperate With the fingers and provided withprojecting pins, a bracket, a guide rod mounted ill the bracket andsupporting the pins, springs mounted on the guide rod and located atopposite sides of the pins and arranged to actuate the same to centerthe knives With respect to the lingers, a vibratory device having aguide arranged to receive the pins and adapted to reciprocate the sicklebar during the travel ol the pins through the said guide.

19. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, a series of spaced lingers mounted on the endless carrier, areciprocatory sickle bar having knives to co-act with the fingers andprovided With a projecting pin, a pivotally mounted oscillatory devicehaving a guide and arranged in the path of the pin, and means forvibrating the said device to reciprocate the sickle bar during thepassage of the pin through the said guide.

A 20. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced fingers mounted on the carrier, a sickle bar havingknives to coi-act with the lingers, a pivo-tally mounted vibratorydevice arranged in the path of the sickle bar and adapted to actuate thesame during a portion ol the travel of the said sickle bar, an arcuateguide reciving and supporting the said device, and mechanism connectedwith the vibratory device for actuating the same.

21. A harvesting machine of the class Vdescribed including an endlesscarrier, spaced lingers mounted on the carrier, a slidable bar havingknives to co-actwith the lingers, a pivotally mounted vibratory devicearranged in the path of the sickle bar and adapted to actuate the sameduring a portion of the travelrot1 the said sickle bar, a crank element,a pitman connecting the crank element with the vibratory device, andmeans for rotating the crank element for actuating the said device.

22. A harvesting machine of the class described including a main frame,an adjust-- able trame, a pivot shaft mounted on the main frame andconnecting the adjustable frame therewith, an endless carrier supportedby the adjustable frame, spaced lingers mounted on the endless carrier,a sickle bar co-acting With the fingers, a vibratory device arranged inthe path of the sickle bar for reciprccating the same, a crank element,a pitman connecting the crank element with the said device, and gearingfor communicating motion from the pivot shalt to the crank element.

23. A harvesting machine of the class described including a main frame,an adjustable iframe, a pivot shaft mounted on the main trame andconnecting the adjustable frame therewith, an endless carrier supportedby the adjustable frame, spaced lingers mounted on the endless carrier,a sickle bar co-acting With the lingers, a vibratory device arranged inthe path of the sickle bar for reciprocating the same, a relativelyshort crank shalt having crank element and arranged at the front of theadjustable iframe, a pitman connecting the crank element with the saiddevice, a longitudinal shaft extending from the crank shaft to the pivotshaft, and gears connecting the said shafts With each other forcommunicating motion from the pivot shaft to the crank element.

24. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, a series of spaced fingers mounted on the endless carrier, areciprocatory sickle bar co-acting with the fingers and having aprojecting pin, a pivoted oscillatory device arranged in the path of thepin and having a guide for the same, means for actuating the saiddevice, extensible means mounted on said device and actuated by the pinto project the extensible means from the said device, and a spring forautomatically returning the extensible means to its initial position.

25. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, a series of spaced lingers mounted on the endless carrier, areciprocatory sickle bar co-acting with the lingers and having aprojecting pin, an oscillatory casing arranged in the path of the pinand provided with a guide for the same, a slide mounted Within thecasing and arranged to project therefrom, a spring for returning theslide to its initial position within the casing, and means actuated bythe pin for moving the slide to its extended position.

26. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, a series of spaced fingers mounted on the endless carrier, areciprocatory sickle bar co-acting with the fingers and having aprojecting pin, an oscillatory casing arranged in the path of the pinand provided With a guide for the same, a slide mounted Within thecasing and arranged to project therefrom, a spring for raising the slideto its initial position Within the casing, and means composed of a fixedrack, and a pinion mounted on the slide and meshing With the rack andarranged to be engaged by the pin for moving the slide to its extendedposition.

27. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, a series of spaced fingers mounted on the cairiei, areciprocatory sickle bar co-acting with the fingers and having aprojecting pin, an oscillatory casing having a guide or Way for thepassage of the pin therethrough, said casing being also provided with arack, a slide mounted Within the casing, a pinion carried by the slideand meshing with the rack and arranged in the path of the pin androtated by the same for moving the slide to an extended position, andmeans for returning the slide to its initial position when the pindisengages the pinion.

28. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, a series of spaced fingers mounted on the carrier, areciprocatory sickle bar co-acting with the fingers and having aprojecting pin, an oscillatory casing having a guide or Way for thepassage of the pin therethrough, said 'casing being also provided with arack, a

slide mounted Within the casing, a pinion mounted on the slide andmeshing With the rack and provided with a recess arranged to receive thepin, said pinion being actuated by the pin for moving the slide t-o anextended position, and a spring connected with the slide for raising thesame to its initial position.

29. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced fingers mounted on the carrier, pivoted blades extendingalong the fingers and closable over the spaces between the same forgripping the vines, a reciprocatory sickle bar co-acting with thefingers, mechanism for closing the blades during a portion of the travelof the fingers, and means for reciprocating the sickle bar While thevines are gripped by the blades.

30. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, spaced fingers mounted on the carrier, pivoted blades extendinglongitudinally of the fingers and closable over the spaces between thesame to grip the vines, a reciprocatory sickle bar having knivesco-acting with the fingers, means for automatically centering the knivesWith respect to the fingers for maintaining the spaces between the samenormally clear, means for actuating the blades to grip the vines, andmechanism for reciprocating the sickle bar While the vines are held bythe said blades.

31. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier composed ofI spaced chains, cutting and stripping devicesmounted on the chains and extending across the carrier at regularintervals, an apron extending across the spaces between the saiddevices, and means located in the path of the stripping and cuttingdevices for actuating the saine during a portion of their travel.

32. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, stripping and cutting devices arranged at intervals on thecarrier and each comprising spaced fingers, pivotally mounted bladesdisposed longitudinally of the ngers and co-acting with the same to gripthe vines, a reciprocatory bar connected With the blades, areciprocatory critter bar having knives c0- operating with the fingers,and means lol posed longitudinally of the lingers and coacting with thesame to grip the vines, a reciprocatory bar connected With the blades, areciprocatory cutter bar having knives cooperating With the fingers, aguide located at one side of the carrier and arranged in the path of thereciprocatory bar for actuating the same to close the blades on thevines and to maintain the blades in engagement With the vines, and meanslocated at the opposite side of the endless carrier and arranged toreciprocate the sickle bar While the vines are gripped by the blades.

34. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, stripping and cutting devices arranged at intervals on thecarrier and each comprising spaced fingers, pivotally mounted bladesdisposed longitudinally of the lingers and co-acting with the same togrip the vines, a reciprocatory bar connected with the blades, areciprocatory cutter bar having knives coperating With the fingers, aXed guide located at one side of the carrier and arranged in the path ofthe reciprocatory bar for closing the blades 0n the vines and formaintaining the blades in engagement with the vines, and a vibratorydevice located at the opposite side of the carrier and arranged in thepath of and adapted to actuate the sickle bar While the vines are beingblades.

85. A harvesting machine of the class described including an endlesscarrier, stripping and cutting devices arranged at intervals on thecarrier and each comprising spaced lingers, pivotally mounted bladesdisposed longitudinally of the fingers and co-acting with the same togrip the vines, a reciprocatory bar connected with the blades, areciprocatory cutter bar having knives cooperating with the fingers, afixed guide located at one side of the carrier and arranged in the pathof the reciprocatory bar for closing the blades on the vines and formaintaining the blades in engagement With the vines, a vibratory devicelocated at the opposite side of the carrier and arranged in the path ofand adapted to actuate the sickle bar While the vines are being grippedby the blades, and gearing connected with the vibratory device forcontinuously actuating the same.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoaffixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

ERNEST O. I-IUTSELL.

Witnesses:

E. L. ROBERTS, W. N. KNOX.

gripped by the Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each,by addressing the Washington, D. C.

Commissioner of Patents,

